The Great White Trail, Western Cape

Enjoy the experience of a lifetime and go shark cage diving on the Great White Trail. Great White sharks are seasonal animals so get yourself to the Cape in June, July or August where you’ll not only have an excellent chance of seeing them, but also to watch them breach and hunt.

Did you know?

The Great White Trail will bring you face to face with one of the world's most fearsome predators – the huge, powerful, dangerous Great White shark.

It was Steven Spielberg's 1975 award-winning movie Jaws that first introduced these creatures into the public consciousness. We were all frightened to go back into the water, but now, thanks to critical research and greater knowledge of marine biology, we know much more about Great White sharks and can actually see them in their own ocean domain.

The place to go is Simon's Town, just 45 minutes from Cape Town on the Cape Peninsula. This is the headquarters of Apex Predators, owned and run by the legendary Chris Fallows who has dedicated his life to Great Whites and is a world authority on them. You may well have seen him and his work on the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, the BBC and National Geographic.

An award-winning photographer, it was Chris who first discovered and recorded on film the breaching behaviour of the Great Whites, when they leap out of the sea at extraordinary speed and with great power to snatch seals.

Take a morning or afternoon trip and enjoy the undisputed best shark cage diving in the world. It's not necessary to have a diving certificate as all shark cage diving is done with a snorkel. As you may have seen on Planet Earth or Air Jaws (both filmed from the Fallows' boat), the best place to see these majestic beasts is Seal Island, off the Cape coast.

A maximum of 12 guests with four guides ensures that your experience is intense and personal as well as educational and eco-friendly. You'll be one of only two guests in the cage (three if you wish) and you'll be down for up to 20 or 30 minutes per dive.

Great White sightings obviously can’t be guaranteed, but with Apex guiding you, your chances are very good.

Travel tips & Planning info

Who to contact

How to get here

Drive south from Cape Town to Simon's Town. Apex Predators is on Main Road in the Quayside Building. Alternatively, take a train. The scenic journey takes approximately one hour from Cape Town along the coast via Muizenberg to Simon's Town.

Best time to visit

Great White sharks are seasonal animals and are best seen between June and August.

Around the area

Check out the African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach in Simon's Town.

What will it cost

Approximately R1 500 per person.

Length of stay

Approximately five hours.

Where to stay

There’s good accommodation available in Simon’s Town including self-catering, B&Bs, hotels, camping and backpackers.

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